Annex A

From The SDI Cookbook

Annex A. Abbreviations and Terminology used in the GSDI Cookbook

Abbreviations

ANZLIC, Australia and New Zealand Land Information Council
API Application Programming Interface
COM, Component Object Model
CEN, Comité Européen de Normalisation
CORBA, Common Object Request Broker Architecture
DIGEST, Digital Exchange Standards
DIF, Directory Interchange Format
DTD, Document Type Declaration
FGDC, Federal Geographic Data Committee
FTP, File Transfer Protocol
GEO, Geospatial Metadata Profile
GIF, Graphics Interchange Format
GIS, Geographic Information System
GML, Geography Markup Language
HTML, HyperText Markup Language
HTTP, HyperText Transfer Protocol
ISO TC/211, Technical Committee 211 of the International Organisation for Standarisation
JPEG, Joint Photographic Expert Group
OGC, Open GIS Consortium
OGDI, Open Geographic Datastore Interface
PNG, Portable Network Graphics
SDTS, Spatial Data Transfer Standard
SQL/MM, Spatial Database Standard SQL/MultiMedia
TCP/IP, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
UML, Unified Modeling Language
URL, Uniform Resource Locator
UNIX, UNiversal Interactive eXecutive
VPF, Vector Product Format
W3C, World Wide Web Consortium
WKB, Well-Known-Binary
WKT, Well-Known-Text
WWW, World Wide Web
XML, Extensible Markup Language

Glossary of Terms

Actor <UML term>
Coherent set of roles that users of an entity can play when interacting with the entity. [ISO 19103]

Application Programming Interface (API)
Any set of routines generally available for use by programmers. GSDI Cookbook, Version 2.0 25 January 2004 Page 158 [1]

Example: An operating system has APIs for a variety of disk/file handling tasks.

Note: APIs are written to provide portable code. The programmer only has to worry about the call and its parameters and not the details of implementation, which may vary from system to system.

Attribute
Property which describes a geometrical, topological, thematic, or other characteristic of an entity. [ISO 19117]

Bandwidth
The amount of data that can be sent through a network connection, measured in bits per second (high bandwidth allows fast transmission or high volume transmission) [Computer User High Tech Dictionary www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/index.htm]

Bayesian Probability
The Bayesian Probability Theorem relates observed effects to the a priori probabilities of those effects in order to estimate the probabilities of underlying causes. [from http://www.singinst.org/GISIA/meta/glossary.html]

Buffer
Geometric object that contains all direct positions whose distance from a specified geometric object is less than or equal to a given distance [ISO 19107]

Catalogue
A single collection of metadata entries that is managed together.

Catalogue Service
A service that responds to requests for metadata in a Catalogue that complies with certain browse or search criteria.

Note: The metadata may be for dataset instances (e.g., dataset catalogue) or may contain service metadata (service catalogue).

Catalogue Entry
A single metadata entry made accessible through a catalogue service or stored in a catalogue.

Clearinghouse
A distributed network of geospatial data producers, managers, and users linked electronically. [from Executive Order 12906, http://www.fgdc.gov/publications/documents/geninfo/execord.html]

Note: A clearinghouse incorporates the data discovery and distribution components of a spatial data infrastructure.

Client-Server
An architectural approach to organising and distributing resources within a networked computer system. [from http://www.ethoseurope.org/ethos/Techterm.nsf/All/CLIENT+SERVERS]

Note 1: Under a Client-Server arrangement, resources such as files, databases and printers are managed by servers. Request for access to these managed resources is generated by clients. When a server fulfils the request of a client it is said to have serviced the client.

Note 2: See also medium client, thick client, thin client

Closure
union of the interior and boundary of a topological or geometric object

Convex Hull
Smallest convex set containing a given geometric object

Coordinate
One of a sequence of N numbers designating the position of a point in N-dimensional space

Core Data
A data set that is necessary for optimal use of many other GIS applications, i.e. that provides a sufficient spatial reference for most geo-located data.

Examples: The geodetic network. The spatial cadastral framework.

Note: Core may refer to the fewest number of features and characteristics required to represent a given data theme.

Coverages
Feature that acts as a function to return one or more feature attribute values for any direct position within its spatio-temporal domain [ISO 19123]

Curve
1-dimensional geometric primitive, representing the continuous image of a line [ISO 19107]

Data Dictionary
A collection of descriptions of the data objects or items in a data model for the benefit of programmers and others who need to refer to them. [from http://www.searchwebservices.techtarget.com]

Note: When developing programs that use a data model, the data dictionary can be consulted to understand where a data item fits in the structure, what values it may contain, and basically what the data item means in real-world terms.

Data Management
The process of planning, coordinating and controlling an organisation’s data resource. [from http://www.comp.glam.ac.uk/pages/staff/tdhutchings/chapter5/sld007.htm]

Data Set
A specific packaging of geospatial information provided by a data or software producer, also known as a feature collection, image, or coverage.

Data Store
On-line or off-line repository of data sets.

Note: A data store can take many forms, including a file-based repository and a data warehouse. A data store may also contain text and attribute data related to a data set.

Data Warehouse
A single, complete and consistent store of data obtained from a variety of sources and made available to end users in a way they can understand and use in a business context. [Data Warehouse, Barry Devlin, Addison Wesley Longman Inc, 1997]

Datum
Parameter or set of parameters that serve as a reference or basis for the calculation of other parameters. [ISO 19111]

Example: In the case of a geodetic datum, the semi-major axis and flattening are the parameters that define size and shape of a spheroid. These, in turn, are used to generate parameters for the calculation of geodetic coordinates (latitude, longitude, height) as well as distance and direction.

Direct Position
Position described by a single set of coordinates within a coordinate reference system. [ISO 19107]

Example: The latitude, longitude and height of a survey mark within the WGS84 coordinate reference system.

Discovery Metadata
The minimum amount of information that needs to be provided by a data supplier to convey to an inquirer the nature and content of the data resource that it holds.

Note: Discovery Metadata falls into broad categories to answer the ”what, why when who, where and how” questions about geospatial data.

Distance
The length of the path between two points. [Dictionary of Mathematics, J.M McGregor Pty Ltd, 1981]

Document Type Declaration (DTD)
A set of rules that define the structure and elements in an XML document encoding. [from ISO 19118]

Entity
An object that exists and is distinguishable from other objects [Database System Concepts, H.F. Korth and A. Silberschatz, McGraw-Hill International Editions]

Example: 300 Richmond Rd, Netley, South Australia is an entity since it uniquely identifies one particular place in the unverse.

Note: An entity may be concrete, such as a person or a book, or it may be abstract, such as a holiday or a concept.

Extensible Markup Language (XML)
A document creation language developed to replace HTML. [2]

Note 1: XML was developed by the World Wide Web Consortium

Note 2: XML both works to specify document structure and, like HTML before it, markup.

Note 3: XML can be used to specify data set structure and to transfer data sets.

Feature
Abstraction of real world phenomena [ISO19101]

Note: A feature may occur as a type (for example, bridge) or an instance (for example, Sydney Harbor Bridge).

Feature Catalogue
Catalogue containing definitions and descriptions of the feature types, feature attributes, and feature associations occurring in one or more sets of geographic data, together with any feature operations that may be applied.

Fundamental Data
A dataset for which several government agencies, regional groups and/or industry groups require a comparable national coverage in order to achieve their corporate objectives and responsibilities.

Note: Fundamental data are a subset of the framework.

Framework
Basic geographic data incorporating the most common data themes that geographic data users need, as well as an environment to support the development and use of those data.

Note 1: The framework’s key aspects are:

specific layers of digital geographic data with content specifications procedures, technology, and guidelines that provide for integration, sharing, and use of these data; and institutional relationships and business practices that encourage the maintenance and use of data.

Note 2: The framework represents a foundation on which organisations can build by adding their own detail and compiling other data sets.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
A client/server protocol for exchanging files with a host computer [Computer User High Tech Dictionary www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/index.htm]

Geodetic Control
A set of points on the surface of the Earth, the positions of which have been accurately determined using surveying and computing techniques that take into account the Earth’s curvature, topography, gravity field and atmosphere.

Note 1: Geodetic control points are established to provide consistent and compatible data for surveying and mapping projects spanning moderate to large areas or distances. Objects located with respect to these points can be relied upon for known position and accuracy.

Note 2: The positions of geodetic control points are described by geodetic coordinates.

Note 3: Geodetic control points are usually permanent physical monuments placed in the ground and precisely marked, located, and documented. However, a suitable natural or manmade feature may also serve as the physical point.

Note 4: Geodetic control points are usually related to each other through the development of a geodetic control network that serves as the foundation for map and survey data registration and integration. [In part from http://www.bayfieldcounty.org/LandRecords/geodetic.htm]

Geodetic Coordinates
Coordinate system in which position is specified by geodetic latitude, geodetic longitude and (in the three-dimensional case) ellipsoidal height [ISO 19111]

Geographic Information
Information concerning phenomena implicitly or explicitly associated with a location relative to the Earth [ISO 19101]

Geographic Information System (GIS)
A computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information, i.e. data identified according to their locations. [from http://www.usgs.gov/research.gis/title.html]

Note: Practitioners also regard the total GIS as including operating personnel and the data that go into the system.

Geography Markup Language (GML)
An XML encoding for transport and storage of geographic information including both the spatial and non-spatial properties of geographic features [from ISO 19136]

Geospatial Data
Data that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on the Earth. [from Executive Order 12906, http://www.fgdc.gov/publications/documents/geninfo/execord.html]

Note: Geospatial data may be derived from, among other things, remote sensing, mapping, and surveying technologies. Statistical data may be included in this definition at the discretion of the collecting agency.

Geospatial Metadata Profile (GEO)
An application profile of Z39.50 written to support search of metadata using the U.S. Federal Geographic Data Committee's Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata [1] issued in June 1994. [FGDC]

Note: The profile is based on ANSI/NISO Z39.50-1995 Information Retrieval (Z39.50): Application Service Definition and Protocol Specification

HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
The set of markup symbols or codes inserted in a file intended for display on a World Wide Web browser page. [from http://www.searchwebservices.techtarget.com]

Note: The markup tells the Web browser how to display a Web page's words and images for the user. Each individual markup code is referred to as an element (but many people also refer to it as a tag).

HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP)
The set of rules for exchanging files (text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia files) on the World Wide Web. [ from http://www.searchwebservices.techtarget.com]

Interoperability
Capability to communicate, execute programs, or transfer data among various functional units in a manner that requires the user to have little or no knowledge of the unique characteristics of those units [ISO 19118]

Intersection
The point at which two or more lines cross each other or a set of points that two or more geometrical figures have in common. [Dictionary of Mathematics, J.M McGregor Pty Ltd, 1981]

ISO 23950 Information Retrieval (Z39.50): Application Service Definition and Protocol Specification.
An International Standard specifying a client/server based protocol for Information Retrieval.

Java
A cross-platform programming language from Sun Microsystems that can be used to create animations and interactive features on World Wide Web Pages. [Computer User High Tech Dictionary www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/index.htm]

Map Projection
Coordinate conversion from a geodetic coordinate system to a plane. [ISO 19111]

Note: A map projection allows the systematic representation of the curved surface of the Earth on a flat sheet of paper or computer screen. Inherent in the projection process is the distortion of one or more characteristics of the representation, being scale, area or angles. It is important to select a projection that minimizes the distortions in the geographic area of interest.

Map Server
A server that accesses spatial information and renders it to the client suitable for display as one or more layers in a map composed of many layers.

Medium Client
A client that combines the advantage of leveraging most of the work in the server while also exploiting some local computing power. [from Nadia Moertiyoso and Nin Choong Yow, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore]

Note 1: Examples of this architecture are Java applets on common desk top environments

Note 2: See also client-server, thick client, thin client

Metadata
A formalised set of descriptive properties which is shared by a community to include guidance on expected structures, definitions, repeatability, and conditionality of elements.

Note 1: Metadata allows a producer to describe a dataset fully so that users can understand the assumptions and limitations and evaluate the dataset's applicability for their intended use.

Note 2: In the context of geographic information, metadata is applicable to independent datasets, aggregations of datasets, individual geographic features, and the various classes of objects that compose a feature.

Metadata Entry
a set of metadata that pertains specifically to a data set.

Metadata Schema
Conceptual schema describing metadata structure and dependencies [ISO 19101]

Multi-Media
Communication that uses any combination of different media, and may or may not involve computers. Multimedia may include text, spoken audio, music, images, annimation and video [Computer User High Tech Dictionary www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/index.htm]

Neural Network
A network of many simple processors that imitates a biological neural network. [Computer User High Tech Dictionary www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/index.htm]

Note: Neural networks have some ability to "learn" from experience and are used in applications such as speech recognition, robotics, medical diagnosis, signal processing and weather forecasting.

Object-Oriented Programming
A type of non-procedural programming where the emphasis is on data objects and their manipulation instead of processes. [3]

Note: In object-oriented programming, objects are data structures encapsulated with routines (called methods) that work on the data. Only the methods can work on the data. Objects are grouped into class instances. The method code can change so long as all the interfaces remain the same. Classes are arranged in a hierarchy and methods in one pass to others in line (inheritance).

Object
Entity with a well defined boundary and identity that encapsulates state and behavior [ISO 19107]

NOTE: This term was first used in this way in the general theory of object-oriented programming, and later adopted for use in this same sense in UML. An object is an instance of a class. Attributes and relationships represent state. Operations, methods, and state machines represent behavior.

OGC Web Mapping Testbed
An OGC-sponsored initiative to prototype web-mapping technology that led to the development of OpenGIS Web Map Service Interface Implementation Specification version 1.0.0 Open Geographic Datastore Interface (OGDI) An application programming interface that uses standardised access methods to work in conjunction with GIS software packages (the application) and various geospatial data products [4]

OLE DB
Microsoft's strategic low-level interface to data across an organization.

Ontology
A controlled, hierarchical vocabulary for describing a knowledge system [5]

OpenGIS
Transparent access to mixed geodata and geoprocessing resources in a networked environment. [from http://www.tgic.state.tx.us/tac/ogc.ppt]

Note: Interoperability established by OpenGIS standards is intended to enable web users to combine data from many locations by eliminating obstacles created by platform differences.

Orthoimagery,
Aerial photography from which distortion and ground relief has been removed so that ground features are displayed in their true planimetric positions.

Paleotemporal
The recording of time intervals that are related to the geological time scale

Parse
The analysis of a statement in a human or artificial language so that it can be used by a computer. [Computer User High Tech Dictionary www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/index.htm]

Note: Parsing is used to convert natural language statements into high-level programming language, and to covert high-level programming language into machine language.

Point
0-dimensional geometric primitive, representing a position. [ISO 19107]

Polygon
A plane figure bounded by a number of straight sides. [Dictionary of Mathematics, J.M McGregor Pty Ltd, 1981]

Portrayal
Presentation of information to humans. [19117]

Prime Meridian
Meridian from which the longitudes of other meridians are quantified [ISO 19111]

Note: In almost all instances, the prime meridian is the Greenwich Meridian.

Profile
Set of one or more base standards or subsets of base standards, and, where applicable, the identification of chosen clauses, classes, options and parameters of those base standards, that are necessary for accomplishing a particular function [ISO 19106]

Projection
See 'map projection'

Raster
Usually rectangular pattern of parallel scanning lines forming or corresponding to the display on a cathode ray tube

Schema
Formal description of a model [ISO 19101]

Semantics
The study of the meaning of linguistic expressions. [from http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~rthomaso/documents/general/what-is-semantics.html]

Note: The language can be a natural language, such as English or Navajo, or an artificial language, like a computer programming language.

Service Entry
The metadata for an invokable service or operation, also known as operation or service metadata.

Simple Feature
Feature restricted to 2D geometry with linear interpolation between vertices, having both spatial and non spatial attributes [ISO 19125-1]

Spatial
Of or relating to size, area or position [Collins Concise Dictionary]

Spatial Data
Data concerned with the size, area or position of any location, event or phenomenon.

Spatial Data Infrastructure
The technology, policies, standards, and human resources necessary to acquire, process, store, distribute, and improve utilization of geospatial data. [from Executive Order 12906, http://www.fgdc.gov/publications/documents/geninfo/execord.html]

Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS)
A standard developed by US government agencies to promote and facilitate the transfer of digital spatial data between dissimilar computer systems, while preserving information meaning and minimizing the need for information external to the transfer.

Spatial Database Standard SQL/MultiMedia (SQL/MM)
A database standard that supports abstract data types in the form of full-text and documents, image, sound, animation, music and video.

Spheroid
A body or curved surface that is similar to a sphere but is lengthened or shortened in one direction [Dictionary of Mathematics, J.M McGregor Pty Ltd, 1981]

Note - Spheroids used to represent the shape of the Earth are wider at the equator than between the poles.

Stakeholder
A stakeholder in a program is any person or institution who has a controlling influence in the program benefits in some way from the program has an interest in the process and/or outcome of the program has resources invested in the program, or has other programs that may depend on the effectiveness of the language program. [from http:/www.sil.org/lingualinks/literacy/ReferenceMaterials/GlosaryofLiteracyTerms/WhatIsAStake holder.htm]

Stove-Pipe(d)
A term used to catagorise computer-based systems that have been developed to perform specific functions in a stand-alone capacity and are thus ill-suited to data sharing with other systems.

Note: the term is also used when describing organizations that have highly compartmentalized structures and procedures.

String
A sequence of text characters. [The Unified Modeling Language User Guide, G Booch et al, Addison-Wesley]

Surface
2-dimensional geometric primitive, locally representing a continuous image of a region of a plane [ISO 19107]

Symmetric Difference
The set of elements that comprise two sets or objects but omitting the elements that lie at the intersection of the sets or objects.

Note: Given two sets A and B, the symmetric difference is their union minus their intersection.

Tabular Data
Data that is stored in a tabular format.

Example: A database table. A table of statistics in a hard-copy report.

Temporal
Of or relating to time. [Collins Concise Dictionary]

Thick Client
A client that is functionally rich in terms of hardware and software. [from http://www.ethoseurope.org/ethos/Techterm.nsf/All/CLIENT+SERVERS]

Note 1: Thick clients are capable of storing and executing their own applications as well as network centric ones. Thick client typically refers to a personal computer.

Note 2: See also Client-Server, Medium Client, Thin Client

Thin Client
A client that has limited local resources in terms of hardware and software. [from http://www.ethoseurope.org/ethos/Techterm.nsf/All/CLIENT+SERVERS]

Note 1: A thin client functionally requires processing time, applications and services to be provided from a centralised server. Network computers are prime examples of the development of thin clients.

Note 2: See also Client-Server, Medium Client, Thick Client

Tile
A subset of a mapping or geographic information data set, the subset being defined by a specific geographic boundaries.

Note: A map sheet that comprises part of a standard map series is sometimes called a map tile. Earlier geographic information systems divided their data stores into tiles to work around file size limitations.

Topology
A branch of geometry describing the properties of a figure that are unaffected by continuous distortion [Collins Concise Dictionary]

Note: In GIS, topology is mostly concerned with identifying the connectivity of networks and the adjacency of polygons.

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
A communication protocol used to ease communication between computers over a network. [6]

Note 1: TCP/IP is the primary protocol used on the Internet (TCP/IP is really a suite of protocols).

Note 2: You will also often see "TCP/IP" address (or just IP address). This is a unique numbered address expressed in dot notation most often (e.g., 64.121.76.4).

Unified Modeling Language (UML)
A schema language that is used to develop computer-interpretable (data) models [Derived from ISO 19103]

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
An Internet logical address. E.g., http://www.cknow.com/ [7]

UNIX, (UNiversal Interactive eXecutive)
A multiuser and multitasking operating system developed by AT&T in the early 1970s. [8]

Use Case <UML Term>
A description of a set of sequences of actions, including variants, that a system performs that yields an observable result of value to an actor [The Unified Modeling Language User Guide, G Booch et al, Addison-Wesley]

User Interface
The set of components that allow a computer and its user to communicate with each other. Note: The computer screen is part of the user interface, as is the keyboard and mouse.

Vector
Quantity having direction as well as magnitude [ISO 19123]

Vector Product Format (VPF)
A US military data transfer format.

W3C
see World Wide Web Consortium

Web Coverage Server (WCS)
A service that supports the networked interchange of geo-spatial data as coverages containing values or properties of geographic locations. [from OGC 02-024]

Note: The WCS provides access to intact (unrendered) geo-spatial information, as needed for client-side rendering, multi-valued coverages and input into scientific models and other clients beyond simple viewers.

Web Feature Server (WFS)
A service that can describe data manipulation operations on OGC Simple Features (feature instances) such that servers and clients can "communicate" at the feature level.

Note: A Web Feature Server request consists of a description of the query and data transformation operations that are to be applied to WFS Web-enabled spatial data. The request is generated on a client and is posted to the WFS server. The WFS Server interprets the request, checks it for validity, executes the request and then returns a feature set as GML to the client. The client then can use the feature set.

Web Map Server
A service that can produce maps drawn into a standard image format (PNG, GIF, JPEG, etc). based on a standard set of input parameters.

Note 1: This specification standardizes the way in which maps are requested by a client and the way that servers describe their data holdings.

Note 2: The resulting map can contain "transparent" pixels where there is no information and thus several independently drawn maps can be laid on top of each other to produce an overall map. This is possible even when the maps come from different Web Map Servers.

Note 3 The WMS specification also supports use of vector-based graphical elements in either Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) or Web Computer Graphics Metafile (WebCGM) formats.

Well-Known-Binary (WKB)
A binary encoding format that can be used to describe the representation of geometry.

Note: The use of WKB for describing simple (2D) features is included in ISO 19125 Geographic Information – Simple Feature Access – Part 1: Common Architecture

Well-Known-Text (WKT)
A text-based encoding format that can be used to describe the representation of geometry.

Note: The use of WKT for describing simple (2D) features is included in ISO 19125 Geographic Information – Simple Feature Access – Part 1: Common Architecture

Windows
A family of operating systems produced by Microsoft.

World Wide Web (WWW)
The global, seamless environment in which all information (text, images, audio, video, computational services) that is accessible from the Internet can be accessed in a consistent and simple way by using a standard set of naming and access conventions. [9]

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
A non-profit-organisation responsible for the development of standards (recommendations) for the Word Wide Web [Software AG]

XML-Schema
A XML language for describing and constraining the content of XML documents

Z39.50
See ISO 23950.